Graham Potter FAVOURITE for Bournemouth job after shock Gary O’Neil sacking

Graham Potter has emerged as the bookies’ favourite to take over at Bournemouth after Gary O’Neil was surprisingly sacked on Monday. 

Bournemouth confirmed this afternoon that O’Neil has left the club. The Englishman initially took charge of the Cherries on a caretaker basis, before being handed the permanent job.

O’Neil took over from Scott Parker back in August, having been part of his backroom team, and managed to keep the side in the Premier League despite them being favourites to fall back into the Championship. 

The 40-year-old was then awarded an 18-month deal in November and given the full backing of new owner Bill Foley.

O’Neil picked up 36 points during his stint and guided Bournemouth to a 15th place finish.

Graham Potter has emerged as the favourite to replace Gary O’Neil after he was sacked by Bournemouth on Monday.

O’Neil picked up 36 points during his stint and guided Bournemouth to a 15th place finish

A club statement said: ‘We can today confirm we have parted company with head coach Gary O’Neil.

‘Gary leaves the club after overseeing 37 matches last season, initially on an interim basis before being formally appointed to his first head coaching role in November.

‘A return of 10 wins and six draws in the Premier League was enough to maintain the club’s position in the top flight, effectively securing survival with four matches remaining following a memorable run of results in April.’ 

Following O’Neil’s sacking, Potter – who is priced at 7/2 – is now the favourite to take over from the Englishman ahead of the new season according to Paddy Power.

Potter has been out of the job since April after he was sacked by Chelsea having won just 12 of his 31 matches in charge.

Potter is followed by Jesse Marsch, who is priced at 7/1. The American was sacked by Leeds United in February after less than a year in charge at Elland Road.

Former Liverpool legend Steven Gerrard is also in contention to be named as O’Neil’s replacement. The Englishman has been out of the job since 2022 after he was sacked by Aston Villa.

Bournemouth face a challenging start to their second season back in the top flight with a home opener against West Ham, followed by four matches against the ‘Big Six’ by the end of September. 

They will have to hit the ground running in the 2023-24 season with a trip to Liverpool in the second week, before matches against Tottenham, Brentford, Chelsea, Brighton and Arsenal by the end of September.

Bournemouth face a challenging start to their second season back in the top flight

Jesse Marsch is also in contention and has been out of the job since February after he was sacked by Leeds United